Orthodontic anchoring method and apparatus

Abstract

An Orthodontic system which uses curable resin ropes known as Flex fit modules (FFM) to connect, via fasteners, between different components of an orthodontic system including orthodontic appliances, orthodontic axillaries, and anchorage devices. The FFM(s) is designed to be fit to or around the anatomy of the oral cavity and allow connection of the FFM(s) to orthodontic appliances, teeth or orthodontic auxiliaries, then after curing and becoming ridged and fixed are used for the purpose of applying or inhibiting orthodontic movement of teeth and oral structures during orthodontic treatment.

I claim: 
     
         1 . Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) comprising at least one curable flexible resin rope constructed of a curable resin material capable of:
 a. in a first mode,   i. molding to the anatomy of an oral cavity and segments of teeth, mucosa, hard and soft tissues of a mouth, and orthodontic appliances,   ii. holding in a molded shape until cured,   iii. securing by fasteners connected to teeth, orthodontic appliances, orthodontic auxiliaries, or oral cavity segments, and   b. in a second mode,   curing with light, heat, or chemicals to rigidly hold a molded shape to form a rigid FFM resin rope structure capable of withstanding and directing orthodontic biasing forces onto fastener secured teeth, orthodontic appliances, orthodontic auxiliaries or oral cavity segments.   
     
     
         2 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 1 , including structure capable of temporarily holding a molded shape until cured. 
     
     
         3 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 2 , wherein the structure comprises a flexible moldable skeleton associated with the curable flexible resin rope capable of holding the FFM resin rope(s) temporarily in a molded position in the first mode until cured in the second mode. 
     
     
         4 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 3 , wherein the flexible moldable skeleton comprises a bendable semi-rigid mesh exoskeleton surrounding or integrated within the curable flexible resin rope. 
     
     
         5 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 3 , wherein the flexible moldable skeleton comprises a bendable endoskeleton. 
     
     
         6 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 1 , wherein the FFM resin rope(s) resin material is of uniform composition with embedded fibers capable of holding in a molded shape until cured and of affixing to fasteners or connecting devices. 
     
     
         7 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 1 , wherein the curable flexible resin rope comprises:
 i. a flexible resin tube or encapsulation wrapping surrounding a core, and   ii. resin core encapsulation materials containing fibers, gels, flakes, and particles filling the core to enhance handling or strength properties of the flexible resin rope.   
     
     
         8 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) or flexible resin rope(s) according to  claim 7 , wherein the resin core encapsulation materials are selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-Di-tert-butyle-4-methylphenol, Bisphenol A ethoxylate dimethacrylate, PEG 400 Extended Urethane dimethacrylate, Aliphatic Urethane Acrylate, Urethane dimethacrylate, Diurethane dimethacrylate isomers mixtures, Ethyl 4-(dimethlyamineo) benzoate, epoxies, acrylates, cyanoacrylates, silicones, polyurethanes, polyureas, oligomer acrylates, urethane methacrylate oligomers, low molecular weight trimethacrylates or other polyethylene glycol (PEG) monomers, Bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate, and photo initiators. 
     
     
         9 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 7 , wherein the resin tube or encapsulation wrapping is selected from the group consisting of a metal mesh, a fluoropolymer, rubber, plastic, and fibrous resin mesh material for different orthodontic applications. 
     
     
         10 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 4 , wherein the exoskeleton is made of a metal stent like tube with a perforated structure or lattice or of woven fiber mesh spaced sufficiently apart to allow light to penetrate the core encapsulation materials for curing. 
     
     
         11 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 4 , wherein the exoskeleton is made of woven fiber mesh spaced sufficiently apart to allow light to penetrate the core encapsulation materials for curing. 
     
     
         12 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 7 , wherein the flexible resin tube or encapsulation wrapping may be scored, perforated, or cut at a depth and pattern for manipulation flexibility and smoother contours. 
     
     
         13 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 1 , wherein the FFM flexible resin ropes have differing cross-sectional dimensions, shapes, and sizes selected to provide varied strengths, ease of use, or contact with different hard or soft tissue structures of the oral cavity for a better anatomical fit. 
     
     
         14 . The Orthodontic flex fit module (FFM) resin rope(s) according to  claim 1 , for constructing orthodontic appliances including:
 a. anchoring structures with fasteners structured to secure to segments of the FFM flexible resin ropes affixed from temporary anchoring devices (TADS) and/or tooth positioning appliances and/or braces and/or wires and/or tissue contacting interfaces within the oral cavity to connect to teeth, appliances, between components of orthodontic appliances, or to connect to an orthodontic auxiliary at a fixed point in space, allowing application or negation of orthodontic forces to teeth or other oral cavity segments, and   b. biasing springs, elastics, elastomeric ties or ligatures, and orthodontic wire, affixed to the anatomical anchoring structures to form an orthodontic system or appliance when fastened together and cured.